Definition
闲话 (xián huà) is 'gossip' or 'idle talk' — it often carries a negative tone, especially when talking behind someone's back (说别人闲话). Unlike 聊天儿 (liáo tiānr, just chatting) or 交谈 (jiāo tán, formal conversation), 闲话 focuses on casual, sometimes unkind talk about others. As a verb, it means to gossip about someone.
noun
gossipidle talkcasual conversation
verb
to gossip aboutto chat about (someone or something)
Easily confused
- 鲜花xiān huāsound-alikefresh flowers; flowers (usually cut flowers)
Examples
- 闲话，。Dàjiā zuò zài yìqǐ shuōshuo xián huà, gǎnjué hěn qīngsōng.Everyone sat together chatting idly and felt very relaxed.
- 闲话。Bú yào zài bèihòu shuō biérén de xián huà.Don't gossip about others behind their backs.
- 闲话。Tāmen zǒng ài xián huà gōngsī lǐ de shìqing.They always like to gossip about things in the company.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.